What you should know before hiring a car in Perth

Practical information

Where to rent a car in Perth?

Perth is the capital of the state of Western Australia. Located on the coast, overlooking the Indian Ocean, Perth boasts proximity to a number of stunning natural areas and beaches – making it a great base for a road trip in Western Australia! Perth Airport operates international and domestic flights and is also home to a number of car rental services. Visitors to Perth, upon arrival at Perth Airport, can choose from car rental companies including Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Firefly Car Rental and Hertz. While train travel is available, with Perth Railway Station one of Perth's main train stations, visitors hoping to explore Western Australia to its fullest are best served renting a car to ensure access to smaller towns and coastal areas.

Driving in Perth: parking and other tips

When driving in Perth, be aware of the road rules in Western Australia, as Australian states operate their own road laws. This includes abiding by the speed limit, which will be indicated on road signs in kilometers per hour. Roads in Perth are well maintained, and there are a number of parking options for those driving in Perth. On-street parking is available for limited times, which can vary from a maximum of 30 minutes in the city center, to up to ten hours in the outer parts of the city. Parking fees range from $5 an hour in the center, to $2 per hour in outer parts of the city. Alternatively, drivers can choose to park in multi-storey or open-air parking lots, which allow for longer stays.

Road trips from Perth

A relaxed city in Western Australia, Perth is home to attractions including Kings Park, the Swan Bell Tower and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Once you've explored Perth to its fullest, there are plenty of awesome destinations surrounding the city – easily reachable by rental car!

Margaret River

168 miles south of Perth, a scenic drive along the coast of western Australia takes travelers to the town of Margaret River. The town itself is home to historic lighthouses, and stands nearby a number of beautiful beaches. However, the surrounding areas are perhaps best known for their wineries - and Margaret River is a great place from which to explore them. Discover and taste delicious Australian wines, relax on the beach, or even catch a glimpse of migratory whales in the ocean between June and November.

Nambung National Park

117 miles north of Perth, accessible via the scenic Indian Ocean Drive in just over two hours, the beautiful Nambung National Park awaits. Marked tracks allow cars to travel through certain parts of the park, while there are also hiking opportunities to allow visitors to experience the park up close. The Pinnacles, an area of desert dotted with limestone "pinnacles", is perhaps the park's most famous attraction. There are also beaches and dunes to explore in this breathtaking National Park accessible by rental car from Perth.

Geraldton and Port Gregory's Pink Lake

Another destination which can be reached thanks to the beautiful Indian Ocean Drive, the city of Geraldton stands around four and a half hours north of Perth by road. A relatively small city, it offers a coastal location and a number of attractions, such as the Museum of Geraldton and the HMAS Sydney II Memorial. After exploring the city, drive your rental car to the nearby Port Gregory. Around 55 miles north of Geraldton, the area is home to one of Australia's "Pink Lakes", Hutt Lagoon. With a pink hue which changes shades depending on the time of day, the lake makes for a truly breathtaking experience.